Climate Change Expected to Accelerate Mass Extinction
Predicted climate warming spells trouble for many of Earth’s species, especially in the tropics. It is thought that one in six species may face extinction by the end of the century. Adding to habitat loss, toxic pollution, and the introduction of exotic invasive species, climate change is seen as an accelerator to what is being called the Earth’s sixth mass extinction, an event ascribed to human causes. The Smithsonian has more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/climate-change-will-accelerate-earths-sixth-mass-extinction-180955138/

Birds Faring Badly, Four Years After Fukushima
In what may be a harbinger for the effects of nuclear accidents on avian populations, researcher Tim Mousseau reports that bird species are in steep decline in the areas most affected by the Fukushima-Daiichi power plant disaster. Troublingly, it appears the effects are cumulative. Mousseau’s observations and tentative conclusions are not without critics, though, and the Smithsonian provides a balanced look: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/birds-are-tailspin-four-years-after-fukushima-180955134/

State Land Board Upholds LNG Pipeline Denial
Oregon’s Land Use of Board of Appeals voted to uphold Clatsop County’s decision to deny the permitting of a liquefied natural gas pipeline to feed a proposed LNG terminal near Warrenton. This is unlikely to be the final chapter in the contest between big energy and the Oregon county. The Oregon State Division of Land Conservation and Development will be the next regulatory body to weigh in on the project. The Oregonian has the details: http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/state_board_upholds_county_den.html#incart_river

The Birth of Meteorology
Roughly a century-and-a-half ago, a new idea was given form: using science to predict the weather. While most of us take weather forecasts for granted, the science of meteorology has had a long and often difficult path to tread getting to its present-day form. Let the BBC take you back to those trying, early days of a nascent science: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32483678

Of course, this all has ramifications for we who paddle. Parks often provide access to the waterways we ply, and the campgrounds we use. It should also be obvious that a lack of water will affect the opportunities for paddling, in particular the length of the paddling season. The warm, dry weather is also leading to an early and abundant hatch of insects. Take all this into account when making your recreational plans.

Is Climate Change Fatigue Taking Hold?
The BBC entertains a troubling question: Are people becoming desensitized and disinterested in the news of climate change? One source cites a decline in the number of news stories on climate change since 2009 as an indicator of such a trend. Another points to institutional intransigence as a leading factor in public frustration. Other views are also offered, so see what you think: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32131142

Forest Effect on Local Climate Gets New Analysis
There is little debate that forests have a major role to play in climate and weather. Here in the Northwest we have seen our streams and fish populations radically affected by deforestation, all to the worse. Nevertheless, good data on how forests, deforestation, and reforestation effect a local area’s climate have not been available. Now scientists are turning to satellite data to fill in the gaps and help build a better understanding of the dynamics, resulting in better accuracy and finer resolution in models. The Oregonian has detailed coverage, along with some other environmental stories: http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/04/science_roundup_april_5.html#incart_river

The Environmental Protection Agency has suspended consideration of any new or expanded uses of neonicotinoid pesticides. The agency is said to be taking this action in light of concerns that bee populations are being adversely affected by such chemicals. The EPA is currently evaluating the situation and is expecting a final assessment on four of the six types of neonicotinoids by 2018, and the remaining two by 2020. Not everyone is satisfied the action goes far enough. The Xerces Society’s Amy Code had this to say, “The reality is, there are risks to our pollinators with current uses.” This action comes immediately after the Portland City Council voted to ban the pesticides on city property. As might be expected, short-sighted agricultural interests, along with chemical industry apologists expressed dismay. Reuters has the story: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/03/us-usa-agriculture-bees-idUSKBN0MU07420150403Code

It has come to light that crooks are signing up at the IRS’s website under spoofed or stolen credentials, thereby gaining access to an individual’s private information. Internet security expert Brian Krebs has recommended you sign up, yourself, to preclude such abuse and the hazards it entails. I should mention, when I showed this to my accountant, he stated he had already had a client so affected. KrebsonSecurity has the details: http://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/03/sign-up-at-irs-gov-before-crooks-do-it-for-you/

The BBC has an intriguing story of a woman, wracked with and dying from Lyme disease, and terribly allergic to bee stings, whose life was saved by a massive attack of Africanized bees. In a dramatic example of a phenomenon which defies expectation, she was completely cured of the Lyme disease and she had no resulting anaphylaxis. Hers is but one example of how natural toxins are being found to be potent weapons against human pathologies. http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150327-how-a-bee-sting-saved-my-life

Today, technology affects us all, even paddlers. Many of us subscribe to auto-pay services offered by banks and credit card providers. The potential convenience offered by auto-pay is significant, but automatic payment programs are rife with issues that can lead to subscribers being left holding the bag. It is best to be informed of the potential pitfalls, and Reuters provides some insight: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/12/us-money-bills-autopay-idUSKBN0M81W120150312

While ultraviolet light has been long known for its toxic effects on all manner of organisms, a recent report from Nature magazine shows that wavelengths of visible light can, in some cases, be even more deadly to common insects. Of additional interest is the observation that different species of insect were most effected by different wavelengths. Little has been known about the toxicity of visible light, and this study is groundbreaking. You can learn more, here: http://www.nature.com/srep/2014/141209/srep07383/full/srep07383.html